Days after the successful triathlon event at the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games and 4 years before the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, ITU, ASTC and the Korean Triathlon Federation began their investment on the development of a strong technical team.

An ITU Level I TOs’ course took place Friday November 19th with the participation of 33 local technical officials. Omar Baker from Singapore and Ki Woo Kyong from South Korea were the course’s facilitators under the supervision of Thanos Nikopoulos (ITU Technical Manager). The objective of the Level I course is to provide participants with the theoretical and practical training required to make them capable of officiating as a Technical Delegate (TD) at national level events (national championships, national cups) and as a Technical Official (TO) at international events (continental cups, continental championships and minor Multisport events) held within their country.

The Level I course also identifies candidates for the position of National Technical Officials (NTO). Level I courses are organised by the National Federation. ITU will provide the necessary learning support materials and qualified facilitators if requested by the NFs. Those NTOs who meet the required test scores and a minimum 2 years experience will be eligible to attend a Level II course.

On November 20th and 21th, Thanos Nikopoulos and Ki Woo Kyong facilitated an ITU Level II Course to 37 officials from 6 countries (South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong- China, Malaysia, Singapore, Iran, Philippines). The objective of the Level II course is to provide participants with the theoretical and practical training required to make them capable of officiating at Continental Championships, Continental Cups and Multisport Series Events as a TD and at World Championships, World Cups and Major Multisport Events as a TO. Level II courses are organised by Continental Confederations and/or the ITU Events Department. ITU will provide the necessary materials and facilitators if it is requested by the continental confederation. The participants who successfully complete the course requirements receive an ITU Level II Officiating Certificate.

Participants had the honour to meet ITU Honorary President, Mr. Les McDonald who was also in South Korea at the time.